The noise of the crowd at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center lingered long after the last ball was struck — a reminder that, for one week, the country served as the epicenter of professional tennis.

In the charged atmosphere of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open (PWO), Tennielle Madis did not measure her campaign by wins and losses. She measured it by growth, exposure and that quiet confidence of knowing that she deserves a spot together with the brightest tennis stars in the world.

For the 18-year-old Madis, the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event that was organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association wasn’t a competition. It was a glimpse of what Philippine tennis can become and a reflection of the long road she has chosen to walk.

“We really enjoyed it. We learned a lot here in the WTA,” said Madis, who took a break from her very busy schedule to grace the “Off the Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE, last Thursday.

“We really did our best for the country and for all the Filipinos who came to support us.”

Billed as one of the rising stars of Philippine tennis next to 20-year-old Alex Eala, the Cotabato native made an early exit in the prestigious event as she bowed to Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, 4-6, 0-6, in the Round of the 32 of the singles event.

Although her journey was cut short, the fact that a massive Filipino crowd showed up to fill every corner of the 2,000-seater Center Court at the historic stadium is already a validation of the country’s support for the rising popularity of the sport. It’s an experience she will treasure as she aims to become the next Filipino tennis sensation.

“It had a huge impact on us, the Filipinos. In my match, all the seats were full,” said Madis, admitting that playing before her family and friends was truly an experience to remember.

“Every Filipino was cheering for us.”

On the rise

But Madis’ patience to become the future of Philippine tennis did not start at the PWO. It traces back to a much earlier point in her life, long before witnessing the overwhelming presence of the crowd and the thunderous applause that reverberates after every won game.

“I always wanted to play tennis with my sister. My family also plays tennis. They were my motivation,” said Madis, whose first name was a clever play of words of the sport that is very close to her family.

From playing with her family members in the small town of M’lang, Madis slowly rose to the ranks, thanks to the guidance of national team mentor Bobie Angelo, who is patiently grooming her to become one of the best local tennis players together with world No. 49 Eala.

Her biggest win came last October when she ruled the GentryOpen and the PCA Open titles. A few months later, she took home a bronze medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after partnering with Stefi Aludo in the women’s doubles event.

They also partnered in the PWO, but their campaign was cut short by the powerhouse Japanese tandem of Kanako Morisaki and Mana Ayukawa in the Round of 16.

Despite the loss, Madis will have an opportunity to level up her game as she is set to go to the University of Hawaii, which is the same school Olympic swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi attended.

“I will be going to Hawaii in August after I finish Grade 12 here. They offered me a scholarship,” said Madis, who is attending homeschool to give her ample time to train and compete in the local circuit.“

I plan to attend school in September. I have yet to commit.”

But Madis knew she and the other Filipino tennis players would have to work harder to create an impact in the next edition of the PWO next year.

Reality check

Except for Eala, all local bets bombed out early in the PWO, a reflection of the massive gap between them and foreign players who frequently travel and compete in high-level WTA competitions.

Madis believes that if they can have a training camp at least in Metro Manila, it would help them stand a better chance against the bigger, more experienced and more skilled international players.

“Maybe having training camps every weekend will encourage more athletes and tennis players to take up the sport. At the end of the day, it’s really about training,” said Madis, humbly admitting that Eala is on a different level as she harnessed her skills at the world-famous Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.

“We’re hoping that tennis will continue to boom and that the sport will keep getting the support it needs.”

In a tournament that marked a milestone for Philippine tennis, Madis stood as both participant and symbol of promise, preparation and patience.

Her run in the PWO last week did not offer instant answers, but it offered clarity: That progress is built through exposure, discipline, and belief.

The future of Philippine tennis will be shaped not just by stars at the top, but by players willing to trust the process, one long year at a time.